Merrill Lynch Suing Home Equity Rival Over Trademark

Law360, New York (October 20, 2006, 12:00 AM EDT) -- Financial services giant Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., has filed a lawsuit against a home equity loan rival alleging the company has stolen its trademark.

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. and Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation brought the lawsuit against Equity Plus Inc. in an attempt to stop it from using the mark “Equity Access.” The lawsuit accuses the company of trademark infringement, unfair competition, misappropriation, and unjust enrichment.

The suit, filed Oct. 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges that...